In focusing on what I can do, I started a list of things I am able to do, such as: get out of bed, talk, cook, drive, socialize, shop, laugh, bend, sing, dance, art paint, write, cry. Thankfully the list is very long.
In focusing on what I can do, I started a list of things I am able to do, such as: get out of bed, talk, cook, drive, socialize, shop, laugh, bend, sing, dance, art paint, write, cry. Thankfully the list is very long.
So, if you have the cognitive and physical ability to use a computer and participate in this group, your list is a lot longer than you think.
Not to many years ago, when someone lived for 82 (or even 72) years, we would all say "He/she lived a good long life." Now, as we reach that point ourselves, we feel we should be able to do everything we did at 42 or 52 - but our bodies won't let us.
By the way, my Mom added watercolor painting to her list at 80, after 2 serious strokes that took her ability to drive, cook, bake, dance and walk. And she played cribbage right up until 2 days before she died - my husband had the privilege of playing her last game with her.
I will be 82 on Christmas Day. I have all my senses intact (though some may dispute that🤪). Each year brings new physical challenges and yet I am so thankful for having led a life full of pleasure and, yes, even some pain and strain. No life is without it. In these years I have come to realize how important relationships are. If you are alone, though, you don’t have to be lonely. Reach out to others. Do something good for someone else. Say a heartfelt prayer for someone in need if you believe in the value of prayer. Clean the clutter, nature your plants. Call a friend who may be lonely. Treat yourself. Make an old holiday family recipe that you love, if you’re able. At the end of the day, relax, reflect on all the positive things you have experienced in your life, grab a good book, or watch your favorite holiday movie, and simply be thankful for what you do have.
I will be 82 on Christmas Day. I have all my senses intact (though some may dispute that🤪). Each year brings new physical challenges and yet I am so thankful for having led a life full of pleasure and, yes, even some pain and strain. No life is without it. In these years I have come to realize how important relationships are. If you are alone, though, you don’t have to be lonely. Reach out to others. Do something good for someone else. Say a heartfelt prayer for someone in need if you believe in the value of prayer. Clean the clutter, nature your plants. Call a friend who may be lonely. Treat yourself. Make an old holiday family recipe that you love, if you’re able. At the end of the day, relax, reflect on all the positive things you have experienced in your life, grab a good book, or watch your favorite holiday movie, and simply be thankful for what you do have.
In focusing on what I can do, I started a list of things I am able to do, such as: get out of bed, talk, cook, drive, socialize, shop, laugh, bend, sing, dance, art paint, write, cry. Thankfully the list is very long.
That is a great reminder. I am trying to focus on gratitude. I have many blessings and recognizing that rather than focusing on my problems is my goal for 2024. My husband is a negative person and i think that will help me deal with him
I will be 82 on Christmas Day. I have all my senses intact (though some may dispute that🤪). Each year brings new physical challenges and yet I am so thankful for having led a life full of pleasure and, yes, even some pain and strain. No life is without it. In these years I have come to realize how important relationships are. If you are alone, though, you don’t have to be lonely. Reach out to others. Do something good for someone else. Say a heartfelt prayer for someone in need if you believe in the value of prayer. Clean the clutter, nature your plants. Call a friend who may be lonely. Treat yourself. Make an old holiday family recipe that you love, if you’re able. At the end of the day, relax, reflect on all the positive things you have experienced in your life, grab a good book, or watch your favorite holiday movie, and simply be thankful for what you do have.
I do not focus on what I can't do I focus on what I can. I am 76 years old and have had heart failure since 2000. I have an ICD/Pacemaker for over the 17 years. I have probably been shockd a dozen times.
I had to stop playing competitive tennis due to aggravation of wires that go to my ICD/Pacemaker. With my cardiologist concurrence I started doing Sprint Triathlons which requires a lot of training. I have done about 50 since 2017. I completed all except one. It was not because of physical inability but the lake temperature for the swim portion was 60 degrees. A lot of us just could not swim in that cold of water.
Are there many in my age group 75-79, no. But there are even some in the 80+ age group. I see so many doing the races in wheel chairs, special handicap bikes and those without an arm or leg. I saw one man pulling another (handicapped division) in a raft for the swim portion, two person bike, and pushing the wheelchair on run (which I race walk).
I exercise every day and a care giver for my wife who is has uncontrolled diabetes 1. I do think finding something you like to do is very important to maintaining both physical and mental health. All of us are going to have physical issues as we get older don't let them beat you. When I was first diagnosed with heart failure my cardiologist said to me, "I have no intention of making you a cardiac cripple." I remember that statment 23 years ago. Has taken some extra help from my doctors and phyciatric department (medications) but we succeded.
Find an activity you like doing regardless of being physical or mental and enjoy it. Do what you can and focus and enjoy it not focus on what you can't do.
At 74 I am very lucky. I work every day in my shop on a complex musical instrument design project. Spend some time with my wife who has an illness that requires intermittent care. Walk the dog. And do a fair share of house care tasks, though my wife may not agree. Because of a hand injury I don't play piano as well as I used to, but I still play well enough to continue a lifelong study of Renaissance and Baroque era music.
A very important project comes from the book _Get It Together_ (Nolo Press) which is a planner for whoever will have to take charge when I die. It's quite a project gathering all the information and planning for meaningful distribution of things of value.
This has set me on the project to give away _now_ whatever I can to people who may enjoy them. I'm going through my study and shop, quietly thinking about what do I really need and what can I let go. I consigned a large collection of tools which I no longer need to a group of young technicians who can buy them at a bargain and send me nice monthly checks. And there's that box of family things from past generations, sitting in the closet for 25 years. I think some younger folks would enjoy them now.
Dealing with these things now makes my life lighter, and gives me more space to enjoy each day.
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I needed that reminder.
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2 ReactionsI’m 82 as of yesterday and I didn’t think I’d have much of a list but actually it isn’t too bad. Not as long as your list but not bad really.
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3 ReactionsWhat a great way to LIVE! It makes the things we can no longer do fade into the background.
Sue
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4 ReactionsSo, if you have the cognitive and physical ability to use a computer and participate in this group, your list is a lot longer than you think.
Not to many years ago, when someone lived for 82 (or even 72) years, we would all say "He/she lived a good long life." Now, as we reach that point ourselves, we feel we should be able to do everything we did at 42 or 52 - but our bodies won't let us.
By the way, my Mom added watercolor painting to her list at 80, after 2 serious strokes that took her ability to drive, cook, bake, dance and walk. And she played cribbage right up until 2 days before she died - my husband had the privilege of playing her last game with her.
Keep working on that list!
Sue
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10 ReactionsI will be 82 on Christmas Day. I have all my senses intact (though some may dispute that🤪). Each year brings new physical challenges and yet I am so thankful for having led a life full of pleasure and, yes, even some pain and strain. No life is without it. In these years I have come to realize how important relationships are. If you are alone, though, you don’t have to be lonely. Reach out to others. Do something good for someone else. Say a heartfelt prayer for someone in need if you believe in the value of prayer. Clean the clutter, nature your plants. Call a friend who may be lonely. Treat yourself. Make an old holiday family recipe that you love, if you’re able. At the end of the day, relax, reflect on all the positive things you have experienced in your life, grab a good book, or watch your favorite holiday movie, and simply be thankful for what you do have.
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16 ReactionsHappy Birthday🎂🎀
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1 ReactionThat is a great reminder. I am trying to focus on gratitude. I have many blessings and recognizing that rather than focusing on my problems is my goal for 2024. My husband is a negative person and i think that will help me deal with him
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2 ReactionsHappy Birthday!
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1 ReactionI do not focus on what I can't do I focus on what I can. I am 76 years old and have had heart failure since 2000. I have an ICD/Pacemaker for over the 17 years. I have probably been shockd a dozen times.
I had to stop playing competitive tennis due to aggravation of wires that go to my ICD/Pacemaker. With my cardiologist concurrence I started doing Sprint Triathlons which requires a lot of training. I have done about 50 since 2017. I completed all except one. It was not because of physical inability but the lake temperature for the swim portion was 60 degrees. A lot of us just could not swim in that cold of water.
Are there many in my age group 75-79, no. But there are even some in the 80+ age group. I see so many doing the races in wheel chairs, special handicap bikes and those without an arm or leg. I saw one man pulling another (handicapped division) in a raft for the swim portion, two person bike, and pushing the wheelchair on run (which I race walk).
I exercise every day and a care giver for my wife who is has uncontrolled diabetes 1. I do think finding something you like to do is very important to maintaining both physical and mental health. All of us are going to have physical issues as we get older don't let them beat you. When I was first diagnosed with heart failure my cardiologist said to me, "I have no intention of making you a cardiac cripple." I remember that statment 23 years ago. Has taken some extra help from my doctors and phyciatric department (medications) but we succeded.
Find an activity you like doing regardless of being physical or mental and enjoy it. Do what you can and focus and enjoy it not focus on what you can't do.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
9 ReactionsAt 74 I am very lucky. I work every day in my shop on a complex musical instrument design project. Spend some time with my wife who has an illness that requires intermittent care. Walk the dog. And do a fair share of house care tasks, though my wife may not agree. Because of a hand injury I don't play piano as well as I used to, but I still play well enough to continue a lifelong study of Renaissance and Baroque era music.
A very important project comes from the book _Get It Together_ (Nolo Press) which is a planner for whoever will have to take charge when I die. It's quite a project gathering all the information and planning for meaningful distribution of things of value.
This has set me on the project to give away _now_ whatever I can to people who may enjoy them. I'm going through my study and shop, quietly thinking about what do I really need and what can I let go. I consigned a large collection of tools which I no longer need to a group of young technicians who can buy them at a bargain and send me nice monthly checks. And there's that box of family things from past generations, sitting in the closet for 25 years. I think some younger folks would enjoy them now.
Dealing with these things now makes my life lighter, and gives me more space to enjoy each day.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
8 Reactions